Etiquette on helping out old work and ££?

[milkround]

Not that interesting. But an old workplace want me to give a witness statement and potentially go to court. The short story is that someone undercut me (I'd guess it is 50/50 but am no expert) - leading to a very slow speed bump in a lorry.

The other party are now claiming their car was written off, and for massive injuries that are not possible imo. I'm not really sure why they need me - the claim is a joke... Like claiming 8 people were in a car that can only hold 4! The solicitor on the phone said they want to defend the claim as fraudulent... Which to me sounds like I might have some barrister shouting at me and calling me a liar and doesn't sound too pleasant.

The thing is... I'm not sure where I'd have to go to court. I live in South Wales, but this all happened in London. And either way, I'd need to take a day off work. There is pretty much no benefit for me personally... Apart from my sense that people shouldn't take total liberties. But this looks like it could end up costing me at the minimum some petrol and a day's wages/holiday!

So what is the done thing here? Would it be bad form to tell the company I'm happy to help out (which I am) as long as they cover my direct out of pocket expenses? It's slightly more complicated as I got called by the solicitors for the insurers after telling the company HR woman she can give my number to the solicitors. But I don't want to look like I'm trying it on... But at the same time don't really want to be out of pocket.

[zippy3x]

Personally, I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for expenses.

Only thing I would consider is you may be required to stay more than a day. Other testimonies may run on. Probably won't be an issue in such an apparent open and shut case, but if you are going to ask for expenses, make sure you mention the possibility of a hotel and extra days expense.

[BoRED S2upid]

Will it get to court? Insurance giant v insurance giant settle out of court don’t waste everyone’s time type thing?

I’m no lawyer btw.

[matt.77]

Make sure you get a receipt for the expenses

[Countdown]

From what you're saying it's the Company's insurers that want you to attend Court (as opposed to the Company themselves).

My guess is that the other side clearly don't think it was 50:50 and think they're entitled to recover their full outlay (ie they think you were wholly at fault)

I doubt your former company will pay expenses. However I had a similar situation about 15 years ago and the County Court judge awarded me half a day's salary for attending when I won the case. If you're confident of winning then that might be an option?

[StevieBee]

I'm 99% certain that courts pay witness expenses including contribution to loss of earnings for the time you attend.

[V1nce Fox]

matt.77 said:

Make sure you get a receipt for the expenses

I shouldnt laugh at that but i reckon it's been long enough now

[ralphrj]

matt.77 said:

Make sure you get a receipt for the expenses

[V1nce Fox]

ralphrj said:

matt.77 said:

Make sure you get a receipt for the expenses